An old Russian proverb says: "Winter does not begin until the third snow." Russians and Americans endured the snows of the Cold War and the snows during the decline of our relationship in the past decade.
But winter has not yet set in. And with his successful visit to Moscow this week, President Obama made important progress in bringing our relationship out from the cold and laying the foundation for future progress. If there is will on both sides, the opportunity exists to build a sustained, enduring strategic relationship that is mutually beneficial.
The key to moving beyond past differences is to focus on an achievable agenda built around our common interests. They include:
--Reducing our nuclear arsenals by reaching a new post-START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) agreement. In Moscow, Presidents Obama and Medvedev made progress on negotiating a new treaty that will substantially reduce our warheads and delivery systems. As President Obama said in his address to Moscow's New Economic School: "America is committed to ... seeking a world without nuclear weapons. ... That is our responsibility as the world's two leading nuclear powers. And ... pursuing [this goal] provides the legal and moral foundation to prevent the proliferation and eventual use of nuclear weapons." By working together to reduce our arsenals and secure nuclear weapons and materials, the U.S. and Russia can reduce nuclear dangers while promoting the safe use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
--Addressing the threats posed by Iran and North Korea. Their nuclear ambitions and destabilizing behavior threaten both of our populations, and we should demonstrate the same resolve against them. Russia has a vital role to play, convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear arsenal and its proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, delivery systems and related materials. Action from Russia is also critical to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons it can use to blackmail the world.
For these efforts to succeed, the U.S. and Russia must present a united front. I am encouraged by the steps taken by our two leaders, including the agreement they reached this week on a joint threat assessment of the ballistic missile challenges of the 21st century, including from Iran and North Korea. President Obama achieved this without giving ground on missile defense--and made clear that he wants to work together with Russia on a missile defense architecture that protects all our peoples from shared dangers.
--Combating extremism. Russians and Americans have seen deadly attacks in both our countries originate with terrorists operating out of Afghanistan and Pakistan. President Obama has launched a new strategy to defeat the forces of terror in these countries--and Russia has an interest in seeing this strategy succeed. In Moscow, President Obama secured Russia's commitment to allow the U.S. to supply coalition forces through Russian territory. President Medvedev is to be commended for this agreement, which will make Russia a more effective partner in the fight against terror.
--Restoring economic growth. President Obama made clear this week that there is enormous potential for increased cooperation between Americans and Russians in the area of trade, and that America supports Russia's integration in the world economic order. Our countries can also continue to pursue the U.S.-Russia CEO Business Initiative to strengthen opportunities for trade and investment between our nations.
--Guaranteeing energy security. In Moscow, President Obama made clear that the U.S. seeks to forge partnerships with Russia on energy--including oil, gas and alternative sources of energy that will drive growth and combat climate change. If President Obama is satisfied that Moscow sees energy as a business and not a weapon, our countries could revive the dialogue between the U.S. and Russia to advance energy efficiency, alternative energy sources and the security and diversity of supply.
--Promoting greater understanding between the Russian and American people. In the 1980s, National Security Advisor Bud McFarlane arranged a meeting between the Russian poet Andrei Voznesenskiy and President Ronald Reagan. During their discussion, Voznesenskiy said: "Mr. President, you must have an exchange of our artists, musicians, authors and students." President Reagan agreed, and tore down some of the Cold War restrictions that blocked those exchanges. Today the Cold War is over, but distrust remains. So now more than ever, we should expand exchanges between our citizens.
As the U.S. and Russia make progress on this agenda, they can then begin to take on the more difficult issues that divide us, such as the continued integration of former Soviet states into the institutions of Europe, the state of democracy and human rights in Russia itself and the differences between us over missile defense.
But to successfully address these challenges, there must first be a baseline of trust. During his Moscow visit, President Obama has made progress establishing that trust. And he did so while speaking eloquently about the need to respect the sovereignty of all states, including Georgia and Ukraine. In so doing, he made certain that Russia did not perceive a green light for renewed aggression in the so-called "near abroad"--and that future cooperation would not be based on dividing the world into "zones of privilege."
President Obama's election presents an historic opportunity for a fresh start in the U.S.-Russian relationship. Rebuilding it will take time, patience and a long-term commitment. Thanks to the president's leadership, we made important progress toward that end this week.
William S. Cohen is chairman and CEO of the Cohen Group. He served as secretary of defense in the Clinton administration from 1997 to 2001.